The health care provider (HCP) prescribes a 10-day course of amoxicillin for a 1-year-old diagnosed with acute otitis media (AOM). Which instruction is most important for the nurse to review with the child's parents?

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11ecbb05_caf6_6b08_b433_b16f0ca10f83_MD0009_00 AOM is an infection of the middle ear. Potential complications of AOM include hearing loss and spread of the infection. To prevent permanent damage, severe cases of AOM are treated with antibiotics. Amoxicillin is the standard treatment in most cases. However, if AOM symptoms do not improve within 48-72 hours of initiating antibiotic therapy, the client should return for further assessment. The HCP will then assess for other causes of persistent symptoms and determine if a different antibiotic is required to treat drug-resistant organisms. Following treatment with antibiotics, clients with AOM should be evaluated for complete infection resolution and screened for hearing impairment. (Option B) Diarrhea is a frequent side effect of amoxicillin therapy that does not warrant treatment discontinuation. If the client develops fever and abdominal pain associated with diarrhea, it may indicate Clostridium difficile superinfection; this should be reported to the HCP. The medication is stopped immediately if the child develops an allergic reaction (eg, rash, shortness of breath, throat tightness). (Option C) Ear pain and fever often subside within the first few days of antibiotic treatment. However, the entire course should be completed as prescribed to treat the infection completely and prevent antibiotic resistance. (Option D) Over-the-counter decongestants are ineffective for AOM treatment and may even delay the recovery process. Educational objective: If AOM symptoms do not improve within 48-72 hours of starting antibiotics, a follow-up visit is required to determine if a different antibiotic is necessary.

The Health Care Provider (HCP) Prescribes a 10-Day Course of Amoxicillin